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Pulse of NatureBy BILL GRAZIANOA few years ago Fred Husser (now deceased) boarded a twin engine Gruman Mallard at Hammond Airport for a flight to last island off the coast south of Houma.It was early morning when the craft lifted from the runway. One hour and fifteen minutes later we were in the surf wading towards the island shore. Each sholdering an ice chest which contained water, food and ice.We returned to the plane for our fishing equipment. The plane was to return to New Orleans. It was to pick us up at three that afternoon. After we watched the plane take off and fade in the eastern sky, we baited our lines with a medium size Mr. Champ” and waded out into four feet of water.The water, sparkling in the bright sunlight, was pleasingly warm and soclear we could see our shadows quiver on the coruga ted sandy bottom.Fifty feet from where we stood lay a submerged reef, with a high cast our bait dropped on the outer side of thereef.It seemed like the speckled trout were waiting for the shining bait. Suddenly. both lines went tight sending up beads of water. Both reels screemed in protest as the fish made their run.We yelled with joy. We were really living. We landed twenty five fighting monsters before the fishing shaked off.After we had eaten. Fred sitting back on his heals at the edge of the water, we began gutting the fish throwing the inside into the water for the crabs to eat. I gutted a few before I got tired.We had been to the island before and that is why we knew where the reef lay.Though I had never explored the island before, I thought this would be a great time to do it. Walking bare foot over the warm sand generated a restful feeling that 1 often enjoyed as a small boy. Last island is long and narrow not over two hundred feet wide at its broadith point. About a quarter of a mile from camp a small bay cut into the island. As I turned to follow the bay shore, hundreds of crabs scampered into the low brush. I just stood there and watched them as they seeked safety.To flee into the water would be pure suicide. The catfish would gobble them up. (Nature has a way of protecting it’s own).When 1 returned to camp it was about 2 p.m. Fred was cleaning the last fish. I sat down across from him.What do you know about this island, Fred?” He looked up from his work What do you mean”?I mean, what do you know of itshistory”? Fred’s eyes roamed the island.“As near as I can recall, this island in the mid-iaoo's was a resort island^aplay gt*JM ft* theshelter here from the humid heat of summer in the cities.” Not much of a island for a resort. It must have been wilder and longer then, after all that was over a hundred years ago, said Fred as I know the story there were a number of cottages, even a two story hotel and a small church. They had cows, horse and chickens.“Well, then, what happened”? I asked, growing more interested by the moment. A hurricane swept the island, destroying every building, hundreds lost their lives. We heard the airplane coming. Gathering all our equipment, we waited for it to taxie in.On Monday, I stopped at the library and asked if they had any information on the island. They said they didn't, but they would check with Baton Rouge. A week or so later the library called and said they had a nine page manuscript written by a survivor. I was thrilled by the call.1 read and re-read the manuscript over and over. The manuscript was written by Michael Schlatreur Jr. The year of the storm was 18S6 on the 8th of August. Michael Schlatreur was born a sugar plantation in Iberville Parish in1819, the son of a French mother and a Pennsylvanian -Dutch Father.Michael Schatreur was 37 years of age at the time of the great storm. He had fathered seven children by his wife. A few month before the storm he had purchased the summer house of a Mr. Austin DuPuy. which was located between the houses of Mr. Mille andthat of Mr. Hebert.Three miles to the east of the boat landing (the island today is no longer than a half a mile, the island must have been longer the three miles).His household contained his wife, seven children, four grown servants with three children, with a servant of Mrs. Robertson. Mr. Schlatreur commanded the steamer Blue Hammock which made the run betweenPlaquemine and the island. He does notstate whether it was the parish or thecity of Plaquemine.)On Wednesday. Aug. 6,1856, the Blue Hammock reached the island which was command by J. A. Dardenne, who had pressing business at home, asked Mr. Schlatreur if he might wait to take over the steamer on its return trip. That, he agreed to do.At 2 am the Blue Hammock pointed her bow for home with Mr. Daroennein command. The morning of Aug. 7 dawned clear with a light southerly wind blowing That night the moonnoon, the clouds began to swell and glow a dirty gray which cast an erie ghostly light over the island.The shrieking of the wind grew in volume and strength lifting loose objects and tossing them about.The rain, which had been falling like mist came down in driving torrents, blotting out visibility for some distance. There was a sudden frighting roar that shook the house violently. The roof had been turned away, rain water cascaded down the steps from the upper floor.Though Mr. Schlatreur fought bravely to save his family, all were lost. Why God had chosen to spare his life he never knew. He and Mr. Mille clung to drifting objects. All but five of the island vacationers survived.After the great loss of his family dimmed Mr. Schlatreur remarried and fathered 17 children. Mr. Schlatreur died in September 1900 the same year as the Galveston hurricane.being exceptionally bright. As the night lengthened a halo gathered around itdimming its features.On Friday afternoon, the light gentle breeze had increased to a full galechurning the seas into white foam. Thewaves racing along the beach broke with a thunderous roar. As the hoursKssed the waves broke higher on the sch. All through Saturday and Saturday night the wind held its force.The steamer star was to arrive at the island early Sunday morning. With the wind blowing, Mr. Schlatreur doubted that the star would venture from the safety of oyster bayou to challenge the storm-swept waters of Uike Palto.The star did challenge the sea and docked with safety at the island. BySome Items at Regular Pricgri*SAVE *2.50S13 Pc. Drill Bit SetRegular86”SICraftsman bin for wood or metal. Fit* your portable power drill*.Sale End• Oct I *rReguSISKThi* all ■dud«SAVE '80.MS12-In. Table Saw ★ viRegular399*stgiNiNSear* Best! Develop* a max. S'/t-hp. 24-inch rip.Partially a**embled.Sale Priced thru Oct it Sot on DisplayRegtSIIJHas ter.! lift\sSAVE *10.00Electric EdgerSia3»MRegular MROur edger-trimmer has 5synchronised positions,and is easy to operate.Regi II IP.Craifoldiadjuonears whHAM, IOSWCK AND COSatisfaction Guarai
Newspaper Details
Hammond Wednesday Star
Hammond, Louisiana, US
Wed, Sep 14, 1977
Page 35
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 19 Jan 2023
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